Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Turns out Phillip Phillips is expected to be just fine for the July 6 start of the Idol summer tour.

In fact, The Associated Press is reporting that Phillip will perform two days earlier at the July 4 celebration at the National Mall in D.C.

Phillip recently underwent surgery to correct the kidney problem that bothered him throughout Season 11 of Idol and that had him considering dropping out on a couple of occasions.

“I’m getting better each day, so that’s a good thing. I’m just walking around, getting my strength back together,” he told The Associated Press by phone from Los Angeles. “It was tough, you know, those first few days, but I’m getting to where I can pick the guitar back up and write a little bit.”

At the July 4 event, Phillips will perform his first single “Home” for an expected audience of more than 300,000 from the lawn of the U.S. Capitol before the annual fireworks.

Also performing will be country singer Josh Turner, “Smash” star Megan Hilty and the National Symphony Orchestra.

The July 4 event will be broadcast on PBS and NPR.

For the complete AP story, go here.